Volcano Erebus in Antarctica Emits Daily Gold Particles

Mount Erebus, the southernmost active volcano on Ross Island in Antarctica, hosts a persistent lava lake that has been active since at least 1972. Scientists have documented that the volcano releases a steady plume of gases that carries microscopic elemental gold crystals.

Measurements estimate about 80 grams of gold particles are emitted each day, worth roughly $6,000 at current market prices. The particles are dispersed by wind and can be detected up to 1,000 km from the vent. The mechanism that forms pure gold crystals in the volcanic gases remains unexplained, and researchers continue to investigate the phenomenon.